How do you find a pediatrician?
LeeAnn is having her first baby and she hasn't chosen a pediatrian yet. Does she need to?
I'm due November 7th and just had my 28 week check up with my doc at OHSU this morning. On top of taking the icky Glucose test, and questioning my overall well being, she asked if I've looked into any pediatricians yet. No I have not. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and being my little man will be born there at OHSU, I've just been assuming I'd pick one up there at Doernbechers - but I'd love to hear of other BC/BS pediatricians. We live in the SW (near Multnomah Village) and like the location of OHSU, but are there others out there I should consider that are also close in proximity? Also, is it customary to 'interview' the pediatrician before birth? What do I ask? What am I looking for? What's typically accomplished in an 'interview/meet-n-greet' with a new pediatrician?
Call the office of those Peds you'd like to consider - maybe 2 or 3 if you have time. Tell them your situation and ask to make an appt. with the doc to chat. While there, take a look at the office, the front desk staff, how long the patients are waiting to see the doctor. Ask about frequency of visits, doc's position about vaccinations, antibiotics for ear infections, on call procedures (what you do if you need advice during the day or after hours), who will check out the baby after birth, etc. Just see if you like their personality. You will get a feel for the doc and/or their office pretty quickly. If they won't take the time to meet with you, they may not take the time to talk once you have your baby and have questions. Also, you will see a lot of them during your child's first couple of years, so you want to make sure you like them and can chat with them easily.
Posted by: J in Beaverton | August 18, 2007 at 08:21 AM
I changed pediatricians a few times through my kids early childhood; one retired, one just rubbed me the wrong way, one's practice was just too crowded, and finally, our health plan changed. So I'd say, don't get too attached to anyone!
But chiefly, if I had it to do over, I'd go with a Family Practice doctor. My kids didn't have any pressing medical issues that required a pediatrician's expertise, and I'd have been happier having the whole family see the same doctor. (I think there was a whole discussion on this here on UM awhile back.)
But yeah, I agree with J: look for someone who won't browbeat you into every vaccination cocktail out there if you'd prefer to space them out, delay or forgo; I'd also try to determine if the doc is knowledgeable about breastfeeding, i.e. not someone who will tell you there's no point after six months "because their bodies don't get any nutrients from it anymore" (even in crunchy Portland, this mindset is out there); and basically, someone who is a good listener and seems to see you as an individual.
Posted by: Zinemama | August 18, 2007 at 08:58 AM
I have been taking my son to Dr. Cindy Ferrell at OHSU since he was born. Dr. Ferrell was recommended to us from out OB-GYN and we love her. My son was born with complications, he had to have brain surgery when he was two days old and he spent several weeks in the NICU, Dr. Ferrell was very reassuring the whole time and she helped keep us relaxed. She is very calming yet she has tons of energy and my son loves her also. The downside to OHSU is that they are very busy and we have not been able to see Dr. Ferrell unless it was a scheduled appt. months is advance. The rest of the time we have seen residents and other pediatricians. This has not been the most ideal situation and we are considering leaving OHSU so we can be seen by the same pediatrician every time. At one appt. I had a pediatrician tell me that my son's tantrums/headbanding/spinning was due to myself not spending enough time with my son. My son is now diagnosed with autism and all of his symptoms are do to that, but imagine how that made me feel to hear that it was my fault. Anyways, just some pros and cons of OHSU.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | August 18, 2007 at 09:59 AM
After I gave birth, the nurses asked me if I had a pediatrician. I hadn't even though about it yet. So I picked a name on the short list of providers they offered at the Kaiser clinic I wanted to go to. I really picked the doc because I liked her name--DR. Smart. It's worked out okay for us. I think most doctors who go in to pediatric medicine have the heart for it. If any special crisis comes up, you get sent to a "specialist" anyway.
Posted by: rogstar | August 19, 2007 at 09:34 AM
I am having my first also (soon!) and have chosen to stay with my family practice doctor at OHSU Gabriel Park Clinic, which is in your SW Portland neighborhood. If you don't want to see a resident (since they cycle through every 3 years), you can make an appt. with a faculty member. I'd bet your OHSU OB/GYN could make a recommendation for that particular clinic.
And.. yes! Definitely interview your pediatrician/family practice doctor first. You want to trust that this person understands your views on medicine and respects them.
Posted by: Anna | August 19, 2007 at 10:53 AM
You have the final say about what you want from your doctor and your child's doctor. If you pick a pediatrician and for whatever reason you butt heads, find a different one. Interviewing a pediatrician is great if you have the time, but there are often more pressing things to be worrying about when you are about to give birth. We all want to be the best mom, dad, out there. But you haven't failed as a parent because you didn't get a chance to greet and meet your newborn's doc. I love this webpage, but I'm always feeling guilty for one thing another after people's posts. "I need a great SUV" "I want some hip Keens for my son to wear to school." IS this real life? At my home I am worried about "do I have the energy to be a good mom to my first born--can I even possibly be ready for another one". Or, Is my neighborhood really all the great--I can't afford an alarm system." Sorry about the venting. I've just been fed up with the "pooly-anna" questions moms are asking. And of course--worrying about a pediatrician is a very valid concern.
Posted by: babyville | August 19, 2007 at 12:52 PM
Dr. Zenel, who is in the same practice as Dr. Ferrell, is our pediatrician. I've heard great things about Dr. Ferrell as well. The practice is pretty efficient - there's hardly any wait time in the waiting room. The downside is that it is located at OHSU which may be difficult to get to and parking may be scarce.
With respect to the interview process, I guess the important thing is that he/she can effectively communicate with you and address your concerns - e.g. whether it's supporting you in your desire to continue breastfeeding past a year or to stop breastfeeding at 6 months. We all try to do the best we can for our children and having a supportive pediatrician can make all the difference in getting through the difficult early years as new parents.
In any case, if you find the pediatrician you initially selected isn't working out, you can always find another one. Good luck!
Posted by: ECG | August 19, 2007 at 01:32 PM
I agree that the family practice doc shouldn't be ruled out. I had one, and she has just naturally become the provider for my children. She's out in NE Pdx so I don't think she's who you're looking for, but if you have a family practice doc you like, ask if he/she will take on your kids.
Posted by: tracy | August 19, 2007 at 09:05 PM
I had the same conundrum and finally chose dr. Monique Pritchard (Sellwood Medical Clinic) from recimmendations on this site. She and Sue the Nurse Practitioner she works with are amazing and lovely. My little boy really likes them. They are gentle and informative and support my husband and I in making well informed decisions for our little guys care. They are excellent!
Good luck and congratulations!
-c
Posted by: christine | August 20, 2007 at 08:17 AM
If you do decide that you would like to interview a pediatrician, one of the midwives at OHSU suggested I ask them "How do you feel about breastfeeding?" and "How do you feel about circumcision," even though we were having a girl, not so much for the answer itself but *how* they answered the question. Also ask what are their hours, who will you speak with if you have to call with a concern after business hours, how long the wait usually is in the waiting room, what should you do if you have something serious happening but obviously not an emergency, who covers for them when they are on vacation/sick, when is the best time to schedule an appt and anything else you want to know about.
When I was considering a pediatrician, I asked my midwife where she took her child. I live two blocks from OHSU but take my daughter to Broadway Medical on her recommendation as a parent, though she works at OHSU. My daughter is too young to appreciate the visits at the moment but my husband and I get along great with Dr. Bengston and he hasn't steered us wrong yet. And honestly, having her doctor visit off the hill helps us get out more. I know, not the most crucial of factors but it kept me from going stir crazy. I've also heard alot of good things about Dr. Monique Pritchard when I was on the hunt. Good luck finding your pediatrician and enjoy your last few weeks of being pregnant!
Posted by: Tristan | August 20, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I asked Urbanmamas to post a question for me about pediatricians for preemies. A recommendation came through for Dr. Coughlin at the Broadway Medical clinic. He has been absolutely wonderful not only with the baby, but with me too. His assistant even called me back once in a while on the next day to see how we were doing. I have also been pleased with the default peds we've seen when Dr. Coughlin hasn't been in.
Posted by: Kirsten | August 20, 2007 at 02:11 PM
When I was pregnant with my first son, I went through the whole pediatrician interview process. A few things that I remembered: 1. I felt like a tool asking these doctors who have been practicing longer than I've been alive their theories on pediatrics. 2. You can generally walk into an office and know if it will work for you. Are there toys? (Not that you really want your kid touching them, but it's weird when they're not there.) Does the secretary look like she wants to rip her hair out? Are there Christmas cards/pictures from patients hanging up? Things like that. 3. Is there a separate sick-child waiting room? (Nothing worse than going in for a well-visit and coming home with a head cold). 4. All the doctors answered all my questions in pretty much the same way...it basically just comes down to personality and if you click.
So after weeks of these doctor interviews, I settled on one highly recommended practice less than a mile from my home. It wasn't my ideal practice, but combined with the convenience factor, it would have been fine. Needless to say, about two weeks before Eli was born, our insurance changed. I was so not in the mood to go through the whole process again, so I pretty much just said "Forget it. I don't even care anymore." (Eli was born in August,in NY, I was hot and grumpy.)
So I gave birth, and the nurse asked me if I had a doctor. I said no, she looked at me a little funny, and signed me up with the hospital pediatrics department. The nearest office was about a 30-min drive from our house, so I thought I would just go there for the first few appointments and then switch to someone closer. The whole ride to that first check-up the kid did not stop crying. Nor did he stop for the 10 min we were in the waiting room. Or the 5 min we were waiting in the patient room. Eli did not stop crying until Dr. Mangiamelli came in and picked him up. She just looked down at him and he stopped immediately, and my husband and I fell in love. I think part of our love for her was the fact that she was a mom, who was still breast-feeding her 1 yr-old. She squeezed our younger son in for a last-min appointment once, when the secretary insisted he didn't need to come in immediately (it turned out the doc was right--double ear infection, which she totally knew when I called her.)
We left our families and friends behind in NY when we moved here last month, but I think Matt and I cried the most about leaving Dr. Mangiamelli.
Try out different doctors. It's okay to take some time figuring out who is the right doctor for you, but once you find that doctor, don't give her (him) up!
Posted by: Kate | August 20, 2007 at 03:23 PM
My son and daughter go to Dr. Gillespie at The Children's Clinic at the Peterkort Center (near St. Vincents, on Barnes). Great pediatricians there. There are two other offices in the same building that house pediatrician offices. I have friends that go to both with great reviews.
Posted by: Laura S. | August 20, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Both of my sons go to Metropolitan Pediatrics on NE Glisan. They are great. As a child My parents took me there. Funny thing is my doctor as a child is also the doctor of my two boys(I'm 25). The doctors are generous,and very professional and the staff there are amazing. Making an appointment is fast and easy, and if you have an emergency, call them and tell them your situation and they will fit you in with your childs doctor, or one of the doctors in the clinic.
Posted by: mey | August 21, 2007 at 01:46 AM
I usually recommend Dr. Monique Pritchard because she's respectful of alternative choices many parents are making regarding vaccinations, family bed, long-time breastfeeding, etc. I personally used Naturopaths because they have a similar scope of practice to family practice docs but with a knowledge of plant medicines which my mostly healthy children benefited from in place of pharmaceutical meds.
Posted by: Susan NWMidwives.com | August 27, 2007 at 10:12 AM
We are actually leaving our Pediatrician at the Children's Clinic on Barnes. We were with Dr. Gillespie for over 3 years, but I got some serious attitude the last time I had an appointment from both the staff and doctor because I was 20 min late. This is after having never been late to an appointment in 3 years. They were completely inflexible, and he refused to see us while I'm standing there with my preschooler and infant. He basically said he wasn't willing to squeeze us in and make his other patients 20 min late for us. And this was after one of those mornings here at home where I started heading out the door 3 hours earlier.
Our doc does not have children, and it became really evident that he doesn't understand what moms go through daily to get out the door. I've never had a doctor so unwilling to be flexible in his schedule, and with a pediatrician that is essential. I had heard previously from staff members that Dr. G "never runs late", but honestly I would rather have an understand and flexible doc for my kids than one who is crazy about adhering to a set schedule.
So, we have decided to try Broadway Pediatrics upon recommendations from friends and UrbanMamas! Hopefully we will like it!
Posted by: anon | January 17, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hi mamas,
I would like to re-open this dialog on pediatricians due to my current situation.
My husband and I have been taking our daughter to see Dr. Monique Pritchard, since she was 8 weeks old (she's now 10 months). We LOVE Dr. Pritchard, but unfortunately we've had to switch insurance carriers, and Dr. Pritchard isn't affiliated.
We currently live in Clackamas, but will most likely be moving soon, so any recommendations on pediatricians in and around the Portland area would be greatly appreciated.
I have recently taken our daughter to see Dr. Kara Kassay in Lake Oswego. She's a lovely person, and I really like her, but she's a family practice doc, and I'm having a hang-up on wanting a pediatrician. Does anyone have experience with Dr. Kassay?
And a few things about us: I'm still breast feeding, we use cloth diapers, and we co-sleep with our daughter.
Help!
Posted by: Kim | April 01, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I need some Of these Following questions answered
I need to interview a pediatrician.
How would you characterize this carrer?
(competitive,conservative,rapidly dynami,stressful.etc..)
Posted by: Sabrina DIaz | May 19, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Can anyone comment on pediatricians in the Vancouver area??
Posted by: susie | January 30, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Our 10 month old son's doctor is Dr. Jay Rosenbloom at Pediatric Associates of the Northwest. We could not be more pleased with his care. He is brilliant, attentive, wholly accessible, kind and passionate about...well....kids : ) We interviewed him while I was pregnant and still living in the far Southwest but continue to see him now even though we live in the NE. Heck....I would drive to Seattle just to have him care for our son. He's great.
Posted by: maggie | January 30, 2009 at 02:04 PM